Gov. Mike Pence joined executives from Systems in Motion, a California-based tech consulting firm, June 30 to announce the company’s plans to expand its operations in Kokomo and Carmel, creating up to 400 new high-wage jobs by 2017.

The company, which acquired Indiana-based Zuna Infotech earlier this year, will invest $5.4 million to lease, renovate and equip its Indiana delivery centers. This includes leasing up to 25,000 additional square feet of office space in the Firestone Building in downtown Kokomo and growing its current Carmel office at 11550 N. Meridian St. by approximately 15,000 square feet.

The expansions, which are expected to be complete by December 2016, will allow the company to expand its service capabilities across the Midwest.

Systems in Motion, which currently employs hundreds of employees across the country, plans to begin hiring in Indiana for additional software development and testing and support positions next month.

As part of the project, approximately 240 of the 400 new positions will be located in Kokomo, with the remaining 160 new associates to be housed at its Carmel office. Interested applicants may apply at www.systemsinmotion.com.

“A hot spot for business is radiating from Indiana, where we are syncing business needs with an environment built for growth,” said Pence. “While other states raise taxes, we are lowering them and investing in our infrastructure and workforce. Indiana’s tech sector continues to grow because companies like Systems in Motion recognize Indiana as a state that works.”

Founded in 2009, Systems in Motion is a U.S.-based information technology consulting and outsourcing firm, working with clients in the financial service, retail, life science, entertainment, mobility and hospitality sectors. Providing services such as application development and management, business analytics and testing services, the company was recently featured as one of five Cool Technology Vendors by technology research firm Gartner Inc.

Systems in Motion operates seven locations across the United States, with its two Indiana operations joining locations in Ann Arbor and Lansing, Michigan, Minneapolis and St. Louis.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Systems in Motion, up to $5.7 million in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Kokomo approved additional incentives at the request of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.

Brainard

The city of Carmel also supports the project.

“We are very excited and thank Systems in Motion for having the confidence in Carmel to expand its workforce here,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. “Today’s news confirms what national surveys have been telling us over the past few years. The Carmel and Indianapolis areas are among the fastest growing hubs for high-tech jobs in America. We look forward to a long and lucrative relationship with this growing technology firm.